The New York Yankees continued their strong late-season run with an 8–1 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, powered by home runs from Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones and a dominant performance from starting pitcher Max Fried.
The victory was New York’s third in a row and seventh in its last eight games, improving the team’s record to 88–63 as it continued competing for position in the American League East.
Bellinger gave the Yankees an early advantage with a two-run home run in the first inning. He finished the game with three hits, delivering another productive performance at the heart of New York’s lineup.
Minnesota answered with its only run against Fried, but the Yankees maintained control before breaking the game open during a four-run sixth inning.
Jones delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer that travelled 423 feet and extended New York’s lead to 7–1. It was his 10th home run of the season and provided the Yankees with a comfortable cushion.
Heliot Ramos also contributed with an RBI double, while George Lombard Jr. and Anthony Volpe joined Ramos in recording two hits each. New York added another run in the ninth inning to complete the scoring.
Fried produced one of his strongest outings since returning from injury. The left-hander allowed one run on six hits across seven innings, striking out six batters without issuing a walk. The performance earned him his first victory since April 27.
Ryan Yarbrough followed Fried with two scoreless innings, preventing Minnesota from mounting a late comeback.
Twins starter Bailey Ober allowed three runs on nine hits over five and one-third innings. Minnesota’s bullpen and defense struggled during New York’s four-run sixth, with all four runs charged to reliever Taylor Rogers recorded as unearned following a defensive error.
The result handed the Twins their seventh defeat in nine games, while the Yankees maintained the momentum they established after securing a postseason place one night earlier.
New York will now attempt to complete a three-game sweep of Minnesota before turning its attention to the final stretch of the regular season and its pursuit of the division leaders.
